CULTURAL TOURS
THE ROMAN BRIDGES
Three of the bridges of Caldas are part of the Roman legacy and appear on its shield:
The large bridge or Puente de la Herrería, at the entrance to Caldas from Pontevedra.
It is located on the Umia River and has five semicircular arches and uniform staves, although it has already lost its primitive trace due to the reforms suffered throughout its history.
It is the largest Roman bridge in the village and in addition to pedestrian traffic it is also enabled for the passage of vehicles.
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The bridge over Bermaña’s river
Roman bridge with three semicircular arches, stone parapet and entrances for pedestrians, it still preserves remains of the ancient pavement.
At the beginning, a cruise guides the pilgrims of the Portuguese Way to cross this bridge of historical enigmas and unites them with the San Roque neighborhood. It is placed on the old Via XIX.
Today, the one we see was rebuilt in the 16th century, on the old Roman bridge and proudly bears the town’s coat of arms.
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The Segade bridge.
This single arch bridge also seems to have Roman origins, although it was remodeled in 1729 and does not preserve its original structure. It is approximately about 2 kilometers from Caldas and can be accessed by walking on the stones of the old 19th century Roman road.
It is placed next to the old hydroelectric power station, now called Light Factory.
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THE ROMANIC CHURCHES
In Caldas there are many Romanesque temples, built and adjusted to the artistic standards of the Compostela’s schools, in which the cultural influences from pilgrimages are obvious.
Saint Mary of Caldas.
Of Romanesque origin, it has undergone important reforms and additions.
Its apse is preserved, finished in a flat gable with lateral buttresses, and historical moldings at the head.
The western door is under a modern portico supporting a baroque bell tower. It is a doorway with two semicircular archivolts and a historic tympanum on pairs of columns. Of note is the AGNUS DEI at the top of the apse.
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San Andrés de Cesar
Of Romanesque origin from the 12th century and reformed in the 18th century in Baroque style. It preserves the apse of the old Romanesque church, one of the best preserved in the entire region.
Semi-ashlar cross with four columns generating five panels, with two windows in the two central ones. The capitals of the columns are carved and have historical moldings.
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Santa María de Bemil
From it, the rose window of the western facade, a section of the southern wall, and the semicircular apse of great purity are preserved. The walls (rebuilt) retain the Romanesque moldings. The bell tower is Baroque.
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Santo Estevo de Saiar
Also of Romanesque origin and heavily transformed, especially in the apse, which has been completely replaced.
The body of the nave and the two doorways are preserved.
One of these doorways is profusely decorated, with a semicircular tympanum below, and two pairs of columns with vegetal capitals with volutes.
The other doorway of the church is even simpler, with a single archivolt over a single pair of columns.
The overall ensemble is of great harmony.
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Besides the Romanesque churches, there are others in Baroque style and more recent ones that are worth highlighting as visitable heritage
The Church of Santa Mariña de Carracedo.
A temple that originated from the medieval monastery of Santa Mariña de Carracedo, to which Alfonso VII made various donations in the year 1147.
The current building has a polygonal floor plan that underwent several expansions. The facade is sober and simple with an entrance door, a triangular pediment with a small temple, and above it, a circular window with external drip. Especially noteworthy is the angular bell tower, with a square plan and Baroque style.
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The Church of Saint Thomas.
Neomedieval style church, dating from the end of the 19th century and was designed by the architect Domingo Rodríguez Sesmero.
The church honors Saint Thomas Becket. It is the only Galician temple dedicated to the holy archbishop of Canterbury and great chancellor of England (1118-70), assassinated inside its cathedral, at the foot of the altars, by courtiers of King Henry II of England.
Thomas Becket went on a pilgrimage to Santiago around 1167, stopping at the thermal town of Caldas. The church dedicated to him was built between 1890-94 with the remains of the medieval tower of Queen Doña Urraca, where King Alfonso VII of Castile and León was born.
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